Even though I’ve loved a good cup of coffee ever since I was a teenager, it wasn’t until my late twenties that I realized just how much of a difference there could be between a basic store brand and a freshly roasted quality brand of coffee beans. Once I tasted the difference, I soon became a full-on coffee snob. While I do have my favourite blends and brands, I always love discovering new varieties to add to my coffee lineup. So when I had the chance to test out Driven Coffee, I couldn’t wait to see how I liked it.

I chose three different varieties to review: Papua New Guinea, Fair Trade Organic Mexico Sierra Azul and Impact Espresso Blend. I tend to favour dark roasts, but wanted to try a medium blend as well to get a better feel for the company’s variety. The coffee is available either as whole beans or pre-ground and since I believe the best flavour comes from freshly ground coffee, I chose the whole bean coffee to test. I loved learning that it was roasted in small batches just before being shipped out to maximize freshness!

When the coffee arrived, the smell had me drooling before I’d even opened the box. I popped two of the bags in the freezer to ensure the beans stayed fresh and opened the Papua New Guinea coffee for my first taste-test. It had a nice medium strength and body with a very smooth flavour. I liked the way the coffee was distinctive at the first sip, yet didn’t overpower. It was a perfect breakfast blend to kick start my day!
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